Holiday Hope Event Raises Money For Needy Seniors

Although it's heartbreaking at any time, at the holidays it's perhaps even more difficult to consider how many seniors are lacking basic necessities like socks, hats or warm blankets. At American House Senior Living Communities across the Metro Detroit area, residents are chipping in to help their less fortunate brethren.

Holiday Hope for Seniors, an American House Foundation charitable event benefiting needy seniors, kicked off Thursday evening at the West Bloomfield American House residence on Maple Road. 

The "Giving Tree" held pride of place in the building lobby, which was filled with residents eager to contribute to the cause and participate in the holiday fun. Each person wishing to donate to the cause chose a paper ornament on the tree and provided funds (up to a maximum of $20) to grant a "wish."

Gold ornaments included a local needy senior’s first name, specific wish and the dollar amount needed to make it happen. Silver ornaments were also available for random dollar donations of the giver's choice. Once the donation was made, the donor replaced the paper ornament with a real one, with the goal of replacing all the paper and granting all the wishes.

American House Foundation provides volunteers to purchase, wrap and deliver the gifts, all of which go to older adults not fortunate enough to live in assisted living communities such as American House.

Last year, Holiday Hope for Seniors raised $55,000 and provided assistance to 250 needy seniors in Metro Detroit. This year, the goal is $75,000 and gifts for 300 recipients.

The event included entertainment by Leonard Dow (Len's Musical Memories), who sang holiday standards while wearing the obligatory Santa hat. Refreshments were also provided, and the atmosphere was festive as holiday memories were shared and favorite stories told.

Dolly Katzenstein, a resident, related a favorite Christmas memory: "My father was born as his parents were arriving in America (they emigrated from Russia). So, my father never really knew when his birthday actually was. He chose Christmas Day as his birthday; he always said that if it was good enough for Jesus, it was good enough for him."

Ada Fineman was all smiles as she talked about her family and their annual festivities. "I'm Jewish, and my daughter-in-law is not, so we celebrate both holidays, Chanukah and Christmas. It's wonderful! We have two big celebrations and we're all together every year."

As the seniors told their stories, one truth was evident: at the holidays, perhaps more than any other time of the year, it's all about family.

Margaret and Roy Stevens, married for 66 years, have lived at American House in West Bloomfield for the past three months and are adjusting well, enjoying the companionship of other residents and events like the one Thursday night.

Margaret said, "My favorite holiday tradition is simple — having my grandchildren and children around me is what's most important. It gets harder to arrange every year as they grow up and get married, but it's very important to us that we’re together."

Maureen Hirsch and Maryse Long are friends and tablemates and echoed the sentiments of so many other, that it's the connections with family that matter at the holidays.

"My daughter lives way out near San Francisco, CA, yet she still always manages to get everyone in the family together at Christmastime. I love that — it’s my favorite part of the whole season,” said Hirsch.